Crocodile Conservation Project, Saltwater Crocodile

1. Human–Wildlife Conflict

• Issue: Rising encounters due to population recovery in:

  • Odisha’s coastal villages

  • Sundarbans islands

  • Vishwamitri river (Vadodara, Gujarat)

• Impacts:

  • Crocodile attacks on fishermen & livestock

  • Retaliatory killings

• Mitigation Measures:

  • Fencing of ghats, warning signage

  • Quick response teams for rescue & relocation

  • Community education on safe practices (avoid bathing/fishing at dawn/dusk)

• Policy Link: Aligned with National Wildlife Action Plan (2017–31)【padhai.ai】

2. Habitat Degradation

• Causes:

  • Pollution, sand mining, dam construction

  • Encroachments in wetland & river habitats

• Impacts:

  • Loss of gharial breeding sandbanks

  • Decline in fish prey

  • Mangrove degradation & cyclone damage in Sundarbans

• Solutions:

  • Enforce Coastal Zone Regulations & Wetland Protection Rules

  • Restoration projects: mangrove afforestation, river rejuvenation

3. Climate Change

• Emerging Threats:

  • Sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, erosion of nesting sites

  • Extreme weather disrupting breeding cycles

• Adaptation Strategies:

  • Artificial nesting mounds at safe elevations

  • Protect upland freshwater pockets (climate refugia)

  • Research on crocodile behavioral response to climate stress

4. Conservation Breeding & Monitoring

• Importance:

  • Continued captive breeding essential for gharial survival

  • Genetic monitoring ensures healthy diversity

• Model: Success of Crocodile Project → replicable for turtles, dolphins

• Institutional Support: Linked to Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) for funding & policy backing【testbook.com】

5. Community Participation

• Lessons Learned:

  • Former poachers → protectors via alternative livelihoods (eco-tourism, fish farming away from croc areas)

  • Local buy-in critical for sustainability

• Awareness Measures:

  • Campaigns on ecological role: apex predator + scavenger maintaining wetland health

Read this blog for more information on wildlife conservation efforts:  National Wildlife Health Policy: Safeguarding India's Biodiversity - PadhAI

FAQ's

Q.When and why was the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project started?
A. It began in 1975 to save India’s three crocodile species (gharial, mugger, saltwater croc) from extinction through captive breeding and habitat protection and population assessment. 

Q. What is the significance of World Crocodile Day?
A. World Crocodile Day is observed on June 17 to raise awareness about conservation of crocodiles globally. In 2024, it marked 50 years of India’s Crocodile Project, celebrating the revival of crocodile populations and ongoing efforts to protect these reptiles.

Q. How have India’s crocodile populations changed after 50 years of conservation?
A. Saltwater crocodiles and muggers have recovered robustly (now ~2,500 and ~8,000-10,000 in number respectively). The gharial population increased from ~200 in the 1970s to ~600-800 breeding adults today (≈3,000 including juveniles) but remains endangered. Not all trends are upward – gharials need continued conservation.

Q. What are the major threats facing crocodiles in India today?A. Key threats include habitat loss (wetland degradation, river pollution, dams), poaching/egg collection (largely controlled now), human-crocodile conflict near populated areas, and emerging climate change impacts (e.g. loss of nesting sites due to sea-level rise).

Conclusion

• India’s 50-year crocodile conservation has revived mugger and saltwater crocodile populations through captive breeding, strict protection, habitat management, and community engagement—showcasing the success of rear-and-release with science-led monitoring.

• Yet gaps remain: gharials are still critically endangered, and challenges like human–wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and climate impacts on mangrove wetlands demand adaptive strategies—securing river ecosystems and integrating conservation at the landscape scale.